343rd Evacuation Hospital, US Army

343RD EVACUATION HOSPITAL, US ARMY

Official blazon

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width overall consisting of a maroon disc inscribed with the words “BEST OF” at left and “THE BEST” at right in silver, bearing at center a silver disc charged with two blue wavy bars, and centered overall a silver winged staff of Aesculapius, the staff entwined by a green serpent, eye and tongue maroon, and a maroon cross overall.

Origin/meaning

Maroon and white (silver) are the colors associated with the Army Medical Corps. The green serpent entwined around the staff of Aesculapius is symbolic of medicine, and the maroon cross refers to the unit’s humanitarian and medical mission. Brooklyn, location of the unit and one of the major seaports of the United States, is represented by the water symbol of wavy blue bars. The round or wheel shape of the device and the uplifted wings refer to the support and evacuation aspects of the unit’s mission.

The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 343d Evacuation Hospital on 23 December 1985. It was redesignated effective 17 September 1993, with description and symbolism revised, for the 343d Combat Support Hospital.

Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons

. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.